Commuter Assistants

What's a Commuter Assistant?
Commuter Assistants (or CAs) are experienced upper-class commuter students who are linked with incoming freshman commuter students and act as personal guides for their entire first year at NYU. CAs are divided by school so they are familiar with information that is unique to the specific schools. Throughout the semester CAs will host programs and send weekly emails providing students with helpful updates, suggestions for things to do, and information on available resources.

When will I find out who my CA is?
All incoming first-year are assigned a Commuter Assistant and will be hearing from them during the first week of August. First-year students will meet their Commuter Assistant at the Commuter Overnight Retreat or at the mandatory Commuter Student Welcome during Welcome Week.

If you have any questions before you hear from your CA, contact:

Contact Melissa Mayard at mm6180@nyu.edu

Aagna Patel

Major: Economics, Pre-Med
School: College of Arts and Science
Year: Junior
Commute: Queens

Ask me about:

NYC metro system, restaurants, volunteering and service opportunities, places to explore/things to do in New York City, and clubs at NYU

What advice would you share with new transfer or commuter students?

Be open-minded and proactive! The best way to make the most out of you college experience is to take advantage of the endless opportunities that are provided to you by NYU and it's campus-NYC. Don't be afraid to step out of your comfort zone and experience new things. Go to campus events, join clubs, explore the city, and get involved in the NYU community. It's a great way to meet new people and make your college experience unique and memorable.

Elijah Persad-Paisley

Major: Biochemistry, College of Arts and Science

Year: Junior

Commute: Queens

Ask me about:

What advice would you share with new commuter students?

Ellie Ly

School: Tandon School of Engineering
Major: Computer Science
Year: Junior
Commute: Brooklyn

Ask me about:

Comm*Unity, The MTA system, Brooklyn Campus and the programs offered at the school of Engineering, Clubs and Organizations, Service/volunteering, Greek Life, why being a commuter isn't a bad thing!

What advice would you share with new commuter students?

Take advantage of the opportunities offered here! You miss 100 percent of the chances you don't take. NYU has so many things to offer from courses to clubs and organizations, to special programs to all the free food events! It may be a bummer that you have to be a commuter instead of a dormer but it doesn't have to be! Be proactive and take advantage of the things NYU has to offer. Don't just go home after classes, that's the last thing you should do! I promise you that if you put yourself out there integrate yourself into the NYU community you'll have a great time here!

Nicholas Yiu

Major: Gallatin School of Individualized Study

Year: Sophomore

Commute: Manhattan, NY

Ask me about:

What advice would you share with new commuter students?

Eugene Park

Major: Undecided, College of Arts and Science

Year: Sophomore

Commute: Bronx, NY

Ask me about:

What advice would you share with new commuter students?

Sarah Yunus

Major: Global Public Health & Biology, College of Arts and Science

Year: Senior

Commute: Manhattan, NY

Ask me about:

On-campus student life, NYU clubs/activities/services/spiritual life, On-campus and off-campus jobs, Restaurants in NYC, cool places to visit in New York City, Navigating the subway, balancing coursework and campus activities/events

What advice would you share with new commuter students?

Don't let being a commuter stop you from being active in student life on campus! Come to commuter events and clubs/organizations that spark your interest. There you may meet friends that you can honestly have for a lifetime. It just takes you going out and making the effort! However, it's always also important to finish your coursework and to study. As much as studying should be your priority, its always important to take a break once in a while and immerse yourself into NYU's vibrant culture.

Sanayi Roberts

Major: Mechanical Engineering, Tandon School of Engineering

Year: Senior

Commute: Brooklyn, NY

Ask me about:

What advice would you share with new commuter students?

Carla Lopez

Major: Computer Science
Year: Senior
Commute: Queens

Ask me about:

NYC metro station, places to eat around campus, commuter/academic life

What advice would you share with new commuter students?

Put yourself out there! By this I mean get out and attend as many events and things going on around campus. There's always a free food event happening somewhere. Also, get out of your comfort zone! Don't be afraid to talk to people around you. Sure it may be awkward at first, but you never know when you're gonna meet a helpful resource, mentor, or best friend.

Kevin Beltran

School: Tandon School of Engineering
Major: Civil Engineering
Year: Junior
Commute: Queens

Ask me about:

NYC subway system, the Tandon School of Engineering campus, intramural sports, & anything soccer related

What advice would you share with new commuter students?

At NYU you will meet many new people. Make new friends, build new connections, and make yourself feel right at home because in reality, NYU is like a second home. Education is a priority, but make room for yourself to go out there and enjoy the city that we are in. New York City offers a seemingly endless list of opportunities, so take advantage of it.

Jeremy Shrikissoon

Major: Nursing
College/School: College of Nursing
Year: Senior
Commute: Woodhaven, Queens

Ask me about:

Food, restaurants, Queens, cycling, and things to do around the city

What advice would you share with new commuter students?

Explore! There are literally thousands of things to do on and around campus, whether it be in the form of clubs and programs, or local hotspots and restaurants. Do not be afraid to step out of your comfort zone and try new things. NYU offers a lot to its students, but its up to you to capitalize on it.

Mary Rezkalla

Major: Childhood Education, Steinhardt
Year: Junior
Commute: Brooklyn, NY

Ask me about:

What advice would you share with new commuter students?

Selin Yurtsever

Major: International Relations/Pre-Med, College Arts & Sciences
Year: Senior
Commute: Astoria, Queens

Ask me about:

Anything! I enjoy meeting and helping new people. I'm mostly interested in International Politics (World conflicts), Relations, History and Cultures. The countries I've lived in, the global community at NYU, the struggle of an international student, Internships, getting involved at NYU, the Middle-Eastern Studies Department, the transfer from Liberal Studies to CAS.

What advice would you share with new commuter students?

Your treasure is your academic life. New York is the key to your treasure. NYU is the field of gems that will fill that treasure. Get involved and reach out for what you like because you will be slowly collecting those gems for the most precious treasure by the end of your 4 years at NYU. As a commuter student, you will learn the importance of time. Do not even think of wasting one second of it.

Anna Chessky

School: College of Arts and Science
Major: Biochemistry
Year: Junior
Commute: Brooklyn

Ask me about:

Amazing restaurants in the city, events on Coney Island, living on a budget in NYC, great fitness places, Broadway shows, and volunteer centers

What advice would you share with new commuter students?

My biggest advice would be to get involved, especially during welcome week. There are activities on campus every day, if not every week. Don't be shy to attend an event, lecture, workshop, meet and great, etc even if you are going to the event alone. You will meet people that will become your friends, perhaps for a lifetime. The more involved you become, the more comfortable you will feel in the city. Treat everyday as an opportunity to discover something new, even if its discovering your favorite small, local coffee shop.

Sindhu Avuthu

School: Tandon School of Engineering

Major: Computer Science/Integrated Digital Media

Year: Junior

Commute: Queens

Ask me about:

NYC metro system, the most aesthetic places in NYC, the best/cheapest restaurants, tech events & cool free things to do in and around the city

What advice would you share with new commuter students?

Don't be afraid to explore NYC and use every chance you get to make new friends. As commuter/transfer students, it's easy to feel left out but know that there are so many students just like you. Go to events (especially those with free food), join clubs/teams, spend your free time chilling (or studying lol) on campus, go on tiny adventures whenever you can, and before you know it, you'll feel like a true NYU student.